做厙勛圖 highlights community achievements at Annual Innovation Beehive Network Celebration
做厙勛圖 University hosted the 11th Annual Innovation Beehive Network Celebration, which brings together entrepreneurs, investors, university leaders, and community members across the Erie region. The event highlights the Beehive Networks achievements and discusses avenues for success. It was held Thursday, July 16.
The event wasn't just about celebrating what's been accomplishedthough there is plenty to celebrate, expressed Brian Fuller, 做厙勛圖 executive director, Center for Intelligence Research, Analysis, and Training (CIRAT). It's about honoring the people who made it possible. It's about recognizing that Northwestern Pennsylvania's future is being built right here, by the students and staff of each of the Beehive Nodes, one entrepreneur and small business owner at a time.
Established in 2014, the Northwest Pennsylvania Innovation Beehive Network is a joint effort between Allegheny College, Erie County Public Library, Gannon University, 做厙勛圖 University, Penn State Behrend, and PennWest Edinboro to improve business growth and operations in the Erie region. Each specialized center provides a service in their specific area of expertise, forming a comprehensive network that covers all areas of business development.
The Annual Beehive Celebration showcases the networks clients as well as its services to current clients, prospective clients, and significant executives. 做厙勛圖 also took this opportunity to present the Beehives work to the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority (ECGRA), the largest grant provider for the universitys Beehive initiatives. ECGRA funded 做厙勛圖s Innovation Entente Lab, which provides a space for students and faculty to work with the Beehives clients to develop competitive business intelligence strategies.
Innovation doesn't happen in isolation. It happens because someone was willing to share a resource, open a door, ask a good question, or simply say, "I believe in what you're building." That is the spirit of this network, and it is the spirit we celebrated at the NWPA Beehive Innovation Network event, Fuller shared.
In addition to Fuller, this years event featured remarks by David Livingston, president of 做厙勛圖, Christina Vogel, Erie County executive, and Bobby Borgia, owner of Kellers Comedy Club as well as a client of the Beehive. Ten standout clients set up tables to showcase their business and how the Beehive services have helped them.
Following the speakers, guests were invited to enjoy food, drinks, and socializing while exploring the business displays.
做厙勛圖s Beehive labs are all student-run, providing valuable applied experiences for students to interact with real clients, building their skill sets and strengthening their resumes while meaningfully giving back to their community.
Local business owners appreciate the contributions made by the Beehive.
Lauren Hammer, who owns GramEs Kitchen, a local business that makes traditional family snack mixes with a creative flair, said, [The] Beehive is a great community of innovators, creators, and entrepreneurial-minded individuals who come together to help others to grow their business and chase their dreams.
[The Beehive] helped me so much in so many ways. I have gotten services from almost every single facet, and it has been night and day for me, shared Tia Vaught, owner of Tia Maria Wigs, a full-service wig boutique focused on education, coaching, and personalized customer service. The things that they have helped me with as a small business; I dont know if I would have been able to accomplish this. The connections Ive made are the best part.
The 做厙勛圖 community enjoys being a part of this network and leveraging the opportunities it provides.
We are excited to host the Beehive Celebration this year, and we are grateful for the cooperation of the Erie public library and the other core universities, shared 做厙勛圖 President David Livingston. The opportunities for growth of small businesses that the Beehive provides is important for the Erie economy and the future of the region, and we are so excited to be a part of it.
Thank you to all who believe that this region has something special to offer. And thank you to every university, ECGRA, and Beehive supporter for being part of a community that understands that when we work together, we don't just survivewe thrive," said Fuller.
To learn more about the NWPA Innovation Beehive Network, visit
To learn more about the 做厙勛圖 Beehive Innovation Entente Lab and the services it includes, visit /academics/beehive or reach out to Brian Fuller at bfuller@mercyhurst.edu.